Springfield....State Representative Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) issued a strong reaction to the news that Attorney General Lisa Madigan has filed a motion in St. Clair County Court to stop state employees from receiving paychecks until the state passes a budget. Bryant calls the move blatantly political, dangerous, and confusing.

"This interference by yet another Constitutional officer in the budget process is blatantly political and seeks to unnecessarily blow-up ongoing negotiations," Bryant said. "The Senate went home this week following committee hearings on a possible budget deal to hear from their constituents. Pieces are starting to move to get to a compromise and a balanced budget. So, the timing of the Attorney General's attempt to stop state employee paychecks is as dangerous as it is puzzling."

Asked to elaborate, Bryant pointed to previous positions that Attorney General Madigan has taken on the issue in the past.

"I'm for state employees receiving their paychecks on time and in full," Bryant said. "At one time, so was Lisa Madigan. We need to take steps to ratchet down the crisis we're facing. This step by the Attorney General is unnecessary and provocative."